"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That's what I hope to give you forever." -The Notebook

CARINA'S P.O.V.

We spent our remaining days in France together and with Regan's family. We went swimming on our last day at the beach. Being with them was so comfortable and I felt at ease. Regan was so sweet and very attentive to my needs. I was so happy and I felt like I have a family again.

When we were packing our clothes, Mrs. Novell became emotional. Regan tried to convince his mom to go to New York since Ellie would be staying there for a couple of months but she declined. She said her life was in here and she couldn't leave it. She sent us off to the airport and when it was time for us to go, she cried again. Regan and Ellie consoled her.

It was already nighttime when we landed. The siblings drove me to Christine's house.

"Why don't you just move in with me kitten?" Regan said when we were in front of Christine's house. I looked at him confusedly.

"What? Why?" I asked him like a fool and he rolled his eyes. He snaked his arms around my waist and kissed my lips lightly.

"So that we will be together all the time. What do you say?"

"I'm going to think about it. We're moving too fast" I said hesitantly, unsure of what to feel. I mean, I want to be with him all the time too but moving in with him would be a big step.

"Okay. I will wait for your decision. See you at the office tomorrow kitten" He said and pulled away from our embrace and kissed me lingeringly one last time before I went inside the house. They didn't come inside because Christine wasn't home.

When Christine arrived, she was so happy seeing me again that she slept in my room. We chatted for hours about my trip. I didn't tell her about Regan and I's relationship yet. It was already 2 am when we fell asleep.

****

Christine dropped me off in front of Bayleaf Corp the morning after that. If I didn't set my alarm, we wouldn't wake up on time. My head was throbbing like crazy because of lack of sleep but I needed to go to work. There was a lot of piled up works because of our trip. Christine didn't want to get up but I pulled her up the bed forcefully. When I got out of the car, I thanked her and she took off.

I quickened my steps so that I wouldn't be late. I was checking my wristwatch when I collided with someone.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention" I said and the person chuckled. I raised my gaze at the person and I saw Zandro's smiling face.

"You again? Wow! This is the second time we met and the second time we bumped into each other, literally" He said amusedly and I smiled back at him.

"Yes. I was in a hurry, sorry about that" I apologized again and was about to go when he pulled my hand gently to stop me. I stared at him questioningly.

"Care to join me for a coffee sometimes Carina?" He asked and I was surprised he remembered my name. I was about to say something when I felt someone put his arm possessively around my waist. I raised my head to find who it was and I saw the furious look In Regan's face. I suddenly felt nervous. This was my first time seeing him with this expression.

"She is already taken Zandro. Keep your hands off" He said with warning in his voice. I saw Zandro frowned and was about to say something when Regan pulled my hand and walked away from Zandro.

When we were inside the elevator, he was quiet but I could see he was angry. I hugged him and rest my head onto his chest. I hated it when he behaved like this. I wasn't sure of what to say or do.

"What happened honey? Are you angry with me?" I asked in a small voice, unsure of what I've done to make him angry like this.

"I told you you're mine" He said sternly and I looked at him quizzically. Is this about Zandro?

"Yes and I am totally yours. What's the problem?"

"Don't talk to Zandro again. I don't want you near him" He said, the anger in his voice was still there. He gritted his teeth. I rolled my eyes and pulled away from him.

"Regan, we just bumped into each other. It's not like I was talking to him like we're buddies or something" I reasoned out. He stared at me and I got surprised when he cupped my face and kissed me. I heard the elevator opened and I pushed him away. I walked out the elevator and he was behind, following me.

"Why did you push me away?" he hissed and I felt my temper risen up. I stopped on my tracks and faced him.

"We're already at work sir. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to my office and start my work" I said and left him, his mouth hanging open of what I've just said. He really is possessive. And I was even excited to see him but now he's acting like a stupid jealous teenager.

I sat on my swivel chair and soon began my work. It was around 10:30 am when I heard the intercom buzzed.

"Kitten come here in my office" I heard his commanding voice and I rolled my eyes.

"What is it sir?" I asked. I wanted to laugh when I heard him groaned out in frustration.

"Either come in my office or I will come to yours, choose!" He said arrogantly. I heaved a sigh and stood up. I was about to knock on the door when it suddenly burst open.

He pulled my hand and soon I was into his embrace. He pinned me against the closed door and kissed me. I groaned and kissed him back. We kissed like we didn't see each other for a long time. We just parted when we needed to breath.

"I hate it when you talk to other guys" He said all of a sudden. He rested his forehead against mine. I caressed his face gently. So, he was still thinking about the incident this morning.

"You don't have to be so possessive like this. You know I love you right?" his eyes became guilty and I smiled at him, reassuring him that I wasn't pissed off of him anymore.

"Yeah I know that but I can't help feeling jealous when someone looks at you like that. I hate it" He said and gritted his teeth. I wanted to change his mood and there was only one thing I knew that could make him happy.

"Don't be grumpy. Listen to me carefully, I am now accepting your offer" I said and his face became confused for a second then lit up with happiness when he realized what I was referring to. He hoisted me up from the floor. I shouted in surprise then he put me back on my feet and kissed me passionately.

"You have no idea how much you've made me happy today kitten" He said happily, half whispering. No words to say, I pulled his head for another kiss.

****

REGAN'S P.O.V.

I was so happy that I finally convinced Carina to live with me. Then I remembered the problem that has been bugging me for a while now. I heaved a sigh and I felt like my head suddenly ached. I massaged my temples to ease the pain. I picked up my phone and dialed Christine's number. She answered the phone after 2 rings.

"Can we meet? I need to tell you something" I said seriously and she became quiet for a second. She agreed. I told her the name of our meeting place.

I sneaked out of the office so that Carina wouldn't see me then I drove off to the restaurant to meet my cousin. She was already there waiting for me when I arrived.

"Glad you made it. I suppose you skipped your work?" I asked her teasingly. She raised her brows and pouted her lips.

"C'mon Reg. You know I am responsible enough" She pouted and I laughed at her reaction. We ordered something to eat.

"So what do you want to talk about?" She asked while eating. I could tell she was curious why I wanted to meet her. I became serious and began explaining.

"Christine, I need you to do a favor for me" She frowned at me but didn't say anything. She just nodded her head signaling me to continue.

"You see, I asked Carina to move in with me and she agreed" her eyes grew big as saucers upon hearing what I've just said. She stood up all of a sudden causing her chair to make a sound. People around us stared at us and she sat back.

"Are you crazy Reg?! When did this happen? I mean when did you two start having that kind of relationship?" she was angry but at the same time there was a concern and worry in her voice.

"When we went to France" I said simply and sipped on my drink.

"Reg, Carina will be ruined because of this! Did you even consider that?!" She almost shouted at me and I understood why. Christine never raised her voice to me before. We never had a misunderstanding and if I'd do anything to hurt Carina then I knew Christine would never forgive me. I heaved a sigh and looked at her angry face.

"I-I love her Chris" I said and her eyes widened. She shook her head.

"Did you tell her about her?"

"Not yet. I don't want to lose her. If I told her about it she would leave me for sure and I don't want that to happen" I said with determination. Her eyes softened as she heard what I've said.

"B-but Reg, you're being unfair. Carina is not that strong. She's been through a lot" Her eyes watered with unshed tears. I frowned of what she said.

"What do you mean she's been through a lot?"

"She grew up with an abusive stepfather you know. He even tried to rape her but her mom came home earlier and stopped him. Because of that her stepfather killed Carina's mom. She died defending her" I saw the sadness in Christine's eyes as she narrated the details to me.

"The other day when you were still in France, she called me and she was so happy. Now I know why. You must tell her everything Reg. You are deceiving her" I nodded my head. Truth to be told, I wasn't near anywhere ready to tell her everything. I don't want to lose her.

"Chris, please don't mention anything to her yet. I will find a way to fix this" She looked at me like she couldn't believe what I just said.

"Reg—"

"Chris please, I want to be the one to tell her everything" I said in a helpless voice. My eyes were begging and she nodded. I knew she wasn't in favor of what I was doing but I needed her to trust me.

After that, I dropped her back to her office because she has an emergency meeting then I went back to Bayleaf Corp. I was about to go to my office when I saw Carina busy working in her office. Her door was open. I stood in the doorway while staring at her. She was so engrossed writing something that she didn't notice me. She was so beautiful. She really takes my breath away everytime I stare at her.

She stretched her arms above her head and that made her saw me. She smiled at me sweetly and my heart ached. I couldn't believe how much she occupied my entire being for a short period of time. Just thinking about her leaving me was almost killing me already. She stood up and her eye brows scrunched as she approached me.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked me and kissed my cheek. I cupped her face and stared at her face. I can't tell her! I don't want to hurt her! I embraced her tightly and buried my face on her neck. My body was shaking. She embraced me back and didn't ask anything. We stayed like that for a minute or two before I pulled away.

"I want us to go home now. I can't wait for you to move in with me ASAP" She just smiled but her eyes were telling me she wanted to ask me something.

"Wait here, I will just finish something and then we'll go" she said and went back to her chair.

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